Big crowds expected: Thousands to attend GleNTi, Barunga, Finke and more on bumper NT long weekend

Almost 60,000 people in the NT are expected to hit the road to go camping or head to one of the dozens of dry season events on this bumper long weekend.

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ALMOST 60,000 people in the Northern Territory are expected to hit the road to go camping or head to one of the dozens of dry season events on this bumper long weekend.

The GleNTi festival in Darwin is expected to draw more than 45,000 people this weekend to eat honey puffs, enjoy traditional dancing and music and soak up the infectious atmosphere at the Esplanade.

The campgrounds in Kakadu National Park are expected to be packed with thousands of people this weekend, with all 800 available camping spots and rooms at Cooinda Lodge booked, along with all the rooms at the Crocodile Hotel.

The campgrounds at Litchfield National Park are also expected to be busy with families heading out to Wangi Falls and Florence Falls.

Katina Vrodos, Poppy Politis-Stoddart and Kathy Skandaliaris making dolmades in preparation for GleNTi. Picture: Che Chorley

Across the city, hundreds are also expected to head out to the Giant Ferris Wheel at Stokes Hill Wharf, the Darwin Defence Expo and Metal United Down Under concert on Saturday.

A crowd of over 3000 people is expected to hit the road and head out to the Barunga Festival this weekend as well.

Greek Orthodox Community of North Australia president Nick Poniris said the GleNTi festival was going to be busier than normal.

“But we’re used to large crowds and serving them, and we manage quite well. We’re confident we’ll be able to cater to the larger than average crowd,” he said.

In Central Australia, the Finke Desert Race is expected to bring almost 7000 people to Alice Springs from across Australia this weekend.

Motorsport legend Craig Lowndes headed to Alice to test out the track on Friday, borrowing 2019 Finke Class Winner Greg Campbell’s Cam-Am for the occasion.

Craig Lowndes and Harry Bates are ready to compete in the Tatts Finke Desert Race this weekend. The race is expected to bring almost 7000 people to Alice Springs from across Australia. Picture: Supplied

Hospitality NT boss Alex Bruce said hotels across the Top End have reported cancellations due to the ongoing Covid situation in Victoria.

“Large hotels are saying unfortunately there’s been lots of cancellations and not all have been replaced,” he said.

“I know a small provider who was fully booked and will be 30 per cent down this weekend.”

By contrast, forward bookings for caravan parks across the Top End are still filling up for many operators over the next few months as interstate visitors arrive for the Dry.

Tourism NT’s executive general manager of marketing, Tony Quarmby, said the Territory should expect to see around 107,000 interstate self-drive visitors this dry season.

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